Australia’s Usman Khawaja has shared his insights on facing India’s enigmatic fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, acknowledging the initial awkwardness of his unique action but emphasizing that it becomes more manageable with familiarity.
Khawaja, who has faced 155 deliveries from Bumrah in seven Test innings, has managed to score 43 runs without being dismissed. He attributes this to adjusting to Bumrah’s unconventional bowling style.
“Initially, it’s his action that stands out,” Khawaja explained. “It’s different and bizarre, with his release point much higher than other bowlers. He seems to push the ball out further, making it appear faster than expected.”
However, Khawaja believes that once batters become accustomed to Bumrah’s action, they can better anticipate his deliveries. “It’s fine once you get used to it,” he said. “I’ve played against him a lot, and while he can still dismiss me early, it’s not as awkward as the first time.”
Despite the focus on Bumrah, Khawaja cautions against overlooking the rest of India’s bowling attack. “They have a lot of other good bowlers,” he said. “Mohammed Siraj is excellent against both right-handers and left-handers. Mohammed Shami is underrated, and they have quality spinners as well.”
Khawaja emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on Bumrah’s threat but rather focusing on scoring runs against him. “I’m not thinking about where he’s getting me out,” he said. “I’m thinking about where I can score runs. That’s what good batsmen do. If he misses, I’ll capitalize; if he bowls well, I’ll respect it.”
With Australia set to face India in a five-match Test series, Khawaja’s experience against Bumrah will be invaluable. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Khawaja will be expected to play a key role as Australia’s opening batsman.
